South Sydney’s seemingly perfect pre-season has had its first hiccup with halfback Adam Reynolds set to miss the first month of the season with appendicitis.

The Rabbitohs playmaker arrived at training on Wednesday complaining of some discomfort, and was later taken to hospital under the advice of the club doctor.

Out of action: Adam Reynolds could miss the first four games. Photo: Getty Images

The 26-year-old spent the night on a drip before undergoing surgery on Thursday to treat the appendicitis that will keep him out for the best part of four weeks.

He required stitches around the abdomen region but was expected to be discharged from hospital on Friday night.

Former Parramatta pivot Luke Kelly firms as his likely replacement, however John Sutton is no stranger to the halves position and could force Cody Walker into the No.7 jersey if Maguire opts to go with his former captain.

At the NRL launch on Thursday Greg Inglis said he and the rest of the Rabbitohs’ spine would encourage Walker to take an ad-lib approach to his football this season.

“We want him to play pretty much off the top of his head,” Inglis said. “He’s an instinctive player and we don’t want to give him too much structure.

“I think it’s just tapping into the skill. He’s obviously got the ability … We keep telling him how much he does have.”

Kelly played in the Auckland Nines and in both trials for the Bunnies, impressing in his maiden season at the club after being used as a stop-gap…